Tennis racket and the like



June 16, 1925.

v w. A. LARNED TENNIS RACKET AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 13, 1922 l oooooooooooooooo Foooooooooooopooo Fig.3

Fl]. I {M I Patented June 16, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM A. LAB-NED, OF SUMMIT, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR- TO THE DAYTON STEEL RACQ UET COMPANY, OF DAYTON, 01-110, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

TENNIS nAoKE-r AND THE LIKE.

Application filed February 13, 1922.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. LARNED, a citizen of the United States, residing at Summit, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improyements in Tennis Rackets and the like, of which the following is a specification.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a simple, efficient and readily applied device for securing a handle to a metallic tennis racket frame.

The invention contemplates the provision of a metal ferrule which is so punched or formed that it may be easily slipped over the legs of the racket frame and thereafter welded, brazed or otherwise firmly secured in a desired position thereon. The top end of the handle is then driven into the ferrule with sufficient force to make it a firm connection between the handle and the legs of the frame.

The ferrule not only reinforces and strengthens the handle and the frame, but contributes materially to the ornamentality or attractiveness of the fin shed racket.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a metallic tennis racket frame, showing my ferrule secured to the legs thereof in a position to receive the top end of a wood handle. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the ferrule. And Figure 3 is a longitudinal section taken through the legs ofthe frame, the ferrule and the handle, showing how the latter is secured to said legs by the ferrule.

Throughout the specification and drawings, similar reference characters denote corresponding parts.

In the accompanying drawings the numeral 1 designates the head portion, and the numerals 2, 2 the legs, of a tennis racket frame which is preferably constructed of tubular metal. For the purpose of firmly securing a wood handle 3 to these legs, the following device is provided.

Referring to Figure 2, the numeral 4 designates a petticoat-shaped ferrule which has a flat integral top 5 containing two holes 6, 6 around each of which there is struck up a collar 7. The holes 6, 6 and collars 7, 7 are of a size to so receive the legs 2, 2 of the racket frame, that the ferrule 4 may be freely slipped over said legs to a Serial No. 536,136.

point where it is desired to locate'it on them. W hen this point has been reached, the ferrule may be welded, brazed or otherwise secured to the legs 2, 2 in a manner that will firmly hold or anchor it to them. This ferrule may be easily and cheaply manufactured as a punching from sheet metal, or it may be constructed in any other suitable manner.

After the ferrule 4 has been firmly secured to the legs 2, 2 of the racket frame, it is ready to receive the inner end of the wood handle 3. This handle has its inner end tapered, and contains two axial holes that extend from said end to points near its outer end to receive the legs 2, 2 of the racket frame. It is thus possible to drive the handle 3 over said legs to force its inner tapered end tightly into the ferrule, which will secure it to them in a manner which will not only reinforce and strengthen the handle and the frame, but will. add to the attractiveness of the whole.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. The combination with a metallic tennis racket frame, legs on the latter, of a handle applied to the legs thereof, and a ferrule fitted on the inner end of the handle, said ferrule having over the inner end of the handle, a top containing holes which tightly receive the legs of the frame.

2. The combination with a metallic tennis racket frame, legs on the latter, of ahandle having a reduced inner end, adapted to be forced inwardly over the legs of said frame, a ferrule adapted to tightly receive the reduced end of said handle, said ferrule having a top containing leg-receiving holes, and collars struck up from said top around said holes, for firm attachment to said legs, whereby said ferrule may firmly secure the handle to the legs of the racket frame.

3. The combination with a tennis racket frame, two legs projecting from the latter, of a handle applied to said legs, a ferrule fitted on the inner end of said handle comprising a petticoat-shaped stamping open at the bottom, and a top for said ferrule con taining holes which tightly receive said legs.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 9th day of February, 1922.

' WILLIAM A. LARNED. lVitness:

HOWARD S. SMITH. 

